New Paint: When to wax, how to get "water spots" out

[CFDE2]

Greetings,

As you guys have read, I just picked up the new Titan. I have a couple of questions regarding the paint.

Question one: The truck was made in December of 2005. How long should I wait to wax it? With the apparatus at work, when we get new ones the dealer says to wait 6 months. Does that apply to this truck?

Question two: Obviously they "prep'd" the truck before delivery. I have issues regarding that they did not get all of the tape off. But my question is there are a couple of "water spots", dribble marks, etc on the paint. They seem to come off if I rub really hard. Any suggestions? I do not think they waxed it, but it looks like they waxed it.

[konigfritz]

Those Mr. Clean car wash kits do a pretty darn good job. If it is waxed and you have a water spot, you will probably have to strip the wax in that area. not hard to do.

[HudsonValleyTitan]

Originally Posted by CFDE2

Greetings,

As you guys have read, I just picked up the new Titan. I have a couple of questions regarding the paint.

Question one: The truck was made in December of 2005. How long should I wait to wax it? With the apparatus at work, when we get new ones the dealer says to wait 6 months. Does that apply to this truck?

Question two: Obviously they "prep'd" the truck before delivery. I have issues regarding that they did not get all of the tape off. But my question is there are a couple of "water spots", dribble marks, etc on the paint. They seem to come off if I rub really hard. Any suggestions? I do not think they waxed it, but it looks like they waxed it.

I was always told to wait about 30 days after painting..you should be ok.

[mjw357]

New cars can be waxed immediately. They are baked at a high temp at the factory.
If you get a car repaired or repainted, it is good to wait a few weeks. The difference is, in order for the body shop to bake your paint at the same high temp as a factory paint job, they would basically have to strip your car. All rubber, carpet, plastic etc would have to come off or it would melt.

[QShip]

It would be best to clay bar the truck.

[llajumpvid]

Check out Zaino. I put it on the week it was delivered from the factory and my paint 2 years later still looks better than when it was delivered. I'd get either their starter kit (if you have another vehicle with some swirl marks) or get everything in the kit but the Z5. I know the price seems high but once you use it you won't regret it. The stuff goes a LONG ways. I got probably 20 coats on my Armada an another 10 on my wifes Accord from bottle of Z2/ZFX.....I found out though after the fact that after about 7 coats you aren't gaining much more protection. so I expect the new bottle of Z2/ZFX that I got the first of the year is going to last me a couple more years.

[goathead]

Originally Posted by QShip

It would be best to clay bar the truck.

a clay bar will take out the water spots....as mentioned by Q^

[CFDE2]

Thanks for the replys. But what is "clay bar"? Never seen nor heard of it.

[goathead]

Originally Posted by CFDE2

Thanks for the replys. But what is "clay bar"? Never seen nor heard of it.

http://www.panteraplace.com/page90.htm

[FlimFlamMan]

Just hope birds dont sh*t all over your new truck like they did on mine. That really sux. Especially, when they have those runny berry seed filled hershey squirt craps.

Sorry... kinda had a flashback there.

[mach1]

Originally Posted by mjw357

New cars can be waxed immediately. They are baked at a high temp at the factory.
If you get a car repaired or repainted, it is good to wait a few weeks. The difference is, in order for the body shop to bake your paint at the same high temp as a factory paint job, they would basically have to strip your car. All rubber, carpet, plastic etc would have to come off or it would melt.

That is 100% correct. get out there and wax that baby, do it, and DO IT NOW!

[rico387]

Just understand the difference between wax and polish. Most polishes have a cleaner base/stripper built into them. You can apply polish to your car 3X a day. Each time you apply it strips the last coat. If you apply wax, such as a hard carnuba base, it wil build. Wax will also oxidize and wear away. It acts as a sacrificial barriar. Boat guys appreciate this. Polish makes pretty. Wax protects.

[mach1]

I had a front bumper cover painted, and when i picked it up, i asked the guy about any waiting period for waxing (not knowing that he baked it) and his reply was he recommended polish for clear coats over wax because clear coats like to "breathe".

So, take that for wahtever you think its worth.

[DStewart]

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

I was always told to wait about 30 days after painting..you should be ok.

That is correct, the paint needs to fully cure. The exception is if you use a silicone-free wax.